United States Drug Enforcement Administration

BURLINGTON, Vt. – DEA New England Division Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle and the Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that on June 8, 2020, United States District Judge William K. Sessions III sentenced Arthur Ranney to 97 months in prison following his guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine. Ranney’s offense involved over 300 grams of high-purity methamphetamine, a highly-addictive and dangerous stimulant.

According to Court records, on September 17, 2018, University of Vermont Police conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle operated by Ranney. Execution of a search warrant for the vehicle resulted in the seizure of 21.7 grams of 97% pure methamphetamine. On December 27, 2018, South Burlington Police encountered Ranney in his vehicle. A search warrant of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of 240.2 grams of 98% pure methamphetamine. Finally, on January 6, 2019, law enforcement personnel with the Drug Enforcement Administration and South Burlington Police arrested Ranney outside a hotel room in South Burlington, Vermont where he was staying. Execution of a search warrant for the room led to the seizure of another 49.1 grams of 92% pure methamphetamine, as well as $1,800 in U.S. currency.

For his crime, Ranney was subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 60 months. The 97-month sentence imposed by Judge Sessions considered the large quantity of methamphetamine Ranney possessed, as well as the danger posed to the Vermont community by methamphetamine. 

“As methamphetamine seizures are on the rise DEA stands committed to keeping this highly addictive drug out of Vermont,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle. “Today’s sentence not only holds Mr. Ranney accountable for his crimes but serves as a warning to those who attempt to distribute this poison in the Green Mountain State.” 

“In recent years in New England, we have seen increasing amounts of highly-potent methamphetamine that is manufactured in Mexico,” said United States Attorney Christina Nolan. “We will do all we can to keep this deadly and highly addictive substance out of Vermont, including aggressively prosecuting traffickers, working with our outstanding partners at DEA and in state and local law enforcement.”

South Burlington Police Chief Shawn Burke added, “The growing prevalence of this highly addictive drug in our community is cause for concern. Ranney’s conduct is that of a drug profiteer, not that of a person wrestling with substance abuse disorder. Our partnership with Federal law enforcement and the United States Attorney is valuable, holding defendants such as Ranney accountable is an important element of public safety.”